The Sheriff's Christmas Angels (Texas Lawmen Book 4) Read online

  “Hmmm… there’s a mechanic about twenty miles on down the road. Abel Bassey. He has a shop in McKenna Springs. But not sure he’ll be around when you get there. He’s also an emergency lineman for the power company and there’re some lines down in the eastern part of the county. I heard he’d been called out earlier today.”

  “Guess I’ll have to take my chances. Thanks for the information. By the way, do you have a ladies’ room available?”

  “Sure do. It’s around the corner of the building outside—added them on last spring. You might have to wait a minute or two, there’s another customer ahead of you.”

  “Thanks, again.”

  “You have a safe trip down the road, little lady.”

  Emma still had the smile on her face as she left the building and opted to pump her gas first. Making her way around the back of the building a few minutes later, she didn’t see anyone else and, after a brief knock on the door with no reply, figured the other patron had gone around the other way. At least Emma wouldn’t have to waste time standing and waiting in the cold.

  Upon her exit from the restroom, she took a couple of steps when a pleading voice carried across to her on the wind, stopping her and holding her attention. An older woman stood at the entrance to what looked like an old, dilapidated garage, situated at the edge of the back-fence line about twenty yards to her right. Half her body was wedged inside the small opening that didn’t look all that safe, the door hanging lopsided on one side. From the tone of her voice, Emma could tell she was worried. Emma hesitated for a second, she could ignore the little voice in her head and get moving on down the road… or not. Pushover.

  She crossed the gravel area toward the woman. If anything, the temperature was dropping and the lady really didn’t need to be out in it with her light sweater around thin shoulders. Emma judged her age to be mid-sixties to early to seventies maybe, with simply-styled white hair in a short length. Something about her brought a remnant of a memory of her mother.

  “Excuse me,” Emma said, announcing her presence. “Is there a problem I can help with?”

  Instant relief showed in the light gray eyes turned in her direction. “Oh, my. Could you? I can’t get through this space… and my granddaughter went in there after some stray puppy and I’m having a time trying to get her out.”

  Emma looked at the cracked wood of the door. “I don’t think we can trust trying to open it any farther—it might fall off the track totally if we did that. What’s her name?”

  “Charlie… Charlene, actually. But we all call her Charlie. She’s five going on fifteen sometimes… and stubborn as her dad, too.”

  “Well, let me see if I can crawl through the space.”

  “Please be careful,” the woman said, as Emma went down on her knees, and looked at the opening. “Here, take my gloves so the gravel won’t cut your hands.” The woman quickly shed the caramel leather gloves she wore and offered them.

  “Thank you, but the gravel might ruin them.”

  “Honey, I have more gloves. You need to protect your hands.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Emma knew the tone.

  She needed to do what she was told by her smarter elder and more memories of her mother returned. It had been a while since anyone had given a thought to her well-being. Donning the gloves, she eased first one shoulder and then another through the opening. Once inside, she rose slowly, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. There were a few half-dollar size holes in the roof allowing shafts of light from the fading day to come through, but there were still shadows all over. A movement in the far corner caught her attention. She inched forward.

  “Charlie… is that you? My name is Emma. Your grandmother needs you to come out now. It’s really not very safe in here.”

  She heard a tiny whimper of an animal. Her eyes zoomed in on the area it came from. That was when she saw the small huddled figure on the ground next to an old couch with springs hanging out of the remnants of its cushions. The child looked up at her with wide eyes that immediately caught her attention. They were large in the pale face and a lighter silver gray color, but there was no mistaking she was related to the woman waiting outside. Those eyes must run in the family. Emma moved forward one step at a time. She stopped a couple feet from the child, trying not to intimidate or upset her. She lowered herself to rest on her knees, a smile of encouragement on her face.

  “Is there a puppy under there you’re worried about?”

  The little girl nodded her head; moisture glistened in her eyes that remained on Emma.

  “Well, if I try to get it out, will you go outside with your grandmother for me?”

  Immediately, the head nodded up and down as the child recognized the offer of help.

  Emma held out her hand. “Take my hand and we’ll get you to the door and then I’ll come back for the puppy.”

  “Promise?” The child finally used her voice. It was small and hopefulness colored its tone.

  “I promise.”

  Charlie stood and placed her small palm inside Emma’s. She wanted to immediately gather her up and try to get her warmer, but it was best to move slowly and get her to her grandmother. In a couple of moments, she was at the small opening and helping Charlie crawl through to the other side. Once that was accomplished and the girl was in her grandmother’s embrace, she turned back to the old couch.

  Bending down, she had to practically lie down on her stomach amid all the litter and gravel and other things she didn’t want to think about such as bugs and spiders and whatever else. She was grateful that the weather would preclude anything of a slithery reptile lying in wait and that she would definitely not tangle with. Taking out her cell phone, she shone the screen’s light quickly so she could make out her objective.

  The puppy was small. The head with one ear up and the other floppy and drooping downward seemed to be the largest part of its body. Slowly, she reached her hand out, trying not to frighten the animal any more than it already was and testing if it was going to come quietly with her. Touching one of its paws, she began stroking it slowly, her voice low and coaxing. Eventually, she was able to get a good grip on its front leg and she began to pull the dog toward her, while trying not to hurt him at the same time.

  When the puppy finally emerged, she grasped him and sat back for a few moments to take a look at the creature that had caused so much trouble. It was definitely a stray. Tiny bones had a thin covering of skin and coarse brown and white hair stretched across it. He turned out to be a she. The large caramel brown eyes locked in her direction were huge with fear. There was a lot of white spriggy hair around her neck with a smattering of brown spots from her soft ears to the tip of her little tail. Her lineage was definitely “mutt”.

  “So, you’re the troublemaker in all of this. There’s someone waiting on you, little one. Let’s go.” Retracing her journey, she was soon outside the structure.

  The storekeeper had joined the pair waiting on her.

  “You got her! Can I hold her?” Charlie was already reaching arms towards the animal.

  Emma glanced at the older woman for a moment and then, getting a head nod, she released the puppy to the child.

  Immediately, the puppy was cradled inside the puffy purple material of the child’s jacket. “You need to get warm. I’ll get you warm.”

  “That’s a scrawny little one.” The storekeeper shook his head. “It was her and two others and the mother here for a couple of days. Saw them get dumped by a guy in a silver truck. He barely slowed down.”

  “I don’t understand how people can be so cruel to helpless animals. Are the others around here?” The woman looked over at the man.

  The slow shake of his head went along with a look in reply to her question that told Emma this little guy was probably the sole survivor of a bad situation. Her heart ached for the orphan… it was a kindred spirit of sorts.

  “She needs a home, Grandma. We have to take her home.” The little girl’s eyes were wide with pleading and the pup s
eemed to be adding her own emphasis with soft cries at the same time. “She’s cold and hungry and has no mommy… just like me.”

  Those words rang in the cold air and seemed to hang there for several moments. A sudden knot formed in the center of Emma’s chest that made it hard to breathe.

  “Charlie, you know your dad’s rule about pets. He would be upset if we came home with a dog… much less a puppy that needs extra attention and care.”

  Charlie was on the verge of tears when she turned her eyes on Emma again. “Please… can you take her? She needs a home really bad. She’s alone and scared. Please, please help her.”

  “Don’t cry. I’ll take her.” Have I lost my mind?

  What possessed her to say those words? What was she going to do with a dog when the only roof she had over her head at the moment was a semi-functioning pickup loaded with all her worldly possessions? It was the little girl’s tears that had done it. That and memories of how it felt to have her heart breaking over the loss of a treasured animal. She pushed the old memories away and took a deep breath. The past had no place in her present.

  A small body was launched against her legs and one arm snaked around her waist while the child still tried to maintain control of the squirming pup. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I know she’ll be good for you. Do you live around here? I could come visit her maybe?”

  Three pairs of eyes were trained on Emma in that moment. “Well, I… the fact is,” she began but the older woman spoke up.

  “Where’s our manners, Charlie? We haven’t even made introductions with this poor young lady.” The woman stuck her hand out. “I’m Mae Drayton and this is my granddaughter, Charlene, as you already know.” She looked at the man beside her.

  “Jim Davies,” he spoke up, extending his hand to Emma following Mae’s example. “This is my store and all.”

  “It’s nice to meet all of you. I’m Emma Cramer.”

  “And are you from this area?” Mae’s question was a natural one.

  “No… not really. I lived in Lassiter, a few miles from Frost Creek a long time ago. My mother died and I left the area. I’m just driving through… a little detour on my way to Dallas. I have a couple of job interviews there in the next few days. I only stopped here because my engine light came on and I was hoping to find a garage or mechanic, but Jim told me I have to drive on a piece to find one of those.”

  “I can’t visit puppy?” Charlie’s gray eyes clouded over again in her pale face.

  “I’m sorry. I—”

  “Charlie, the puppy has a good home now and you should be happy about that. And I owe you a good deal of thanks, Miss Cramer, for going after my granddaughter and rescuing both her and the pup.”

  “I’m glad I was able to help. I really should be going now since it’s getting dark and the temperature is definitely dropping.” She looked at the storekeeper. “Is the motel still open on the highway there in McKenna Springs? It’s been a while since I’ve been through the area.”

  “Yes, it’s still there.”

  “Then I best be on my way.” Emma looked down at the child. “Would you like to carry her to my truck?” She received a quick nod in reply.

  “I’ll grab a box from the storeroom and some newspapers,” Jim informed the trio and hustled toward the store.

  Emma was self-conscious once they reached the truck. She saw Mae’s eyes take in the scene of the few boxes in the back seat and a couple of battered suitcases and knew the woman saw more than what Emma wanted her to know. But Mae didn’t make any comment. Emma remembered she still had on the gloves and quickly removed them, handing them toward the woman. “I’m sorry. I would have hated to go off with these. Thank you for loaning them to me.”

  Mae’s smile was warm and reassuring and again, something tightened inside Emma’s chest. “I’m glad our paths crossed, Miss Cramer.”

  “Please… it’s Emma. And I’m glad also.” And she meant it.

  “You say you’re on your way to Dallas for interviews. What sort of employment are you looking to find there?”

  “I have my degree in office management with an emphasis on computer financial systems. I’m hoping to find employment at one of the banks. Two of them offered interviews this week. If not, I’m also experienced in hairstyling, waitressing, and short-order cooking if I have to fall back on something in the meantime.” She tried to play it off as lightly as she could.

  Jim arrived at that moment so she had no need to elaborate.

  “This box should do and papers are inside it. And I added some canned food and a little pouch of dry food along with a water bottle, too. I’m sure that little one won’t be choosy on what kind of meal she gets tonight.”

  Emma took the box and then went to reach inside her pocket, but Jim’s hand raised in the air stopped her. “And no need of paying for nothing. That dog food doesn’t sell all that fast so you’re doing me a favor.”

  “I appreciate it, thank you.” The time had come.

  Emma sat the box inside the truck in the floorboard of the front seat. She turned to Charlie, bending down to her level. She placed a reassuring smile on her face.

  “I know this puppy will never forget the little girl who saved her. And, because you did, I think you should name her.”

  Charlie was up to the task. A wide grin split her elfin face with its smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose.

  Her eyes lit up. “She’s Angel. The white circle around the brown on her head kind of looks like a halo like on the angel on your Christmas tree each year, right, Granny?”

  “I do believe you’re right.” Mae nodded.

  “Then Angel it is. Give her a big hug and let’s put her in her box.”

  Charlie gave the pup a hug and whispered something in her ear. The grown-ups couldn’t hear what it was. Then she reached over and set the pup inside the box. The pup stayed quiet during this new turn of events, mostly out of fear, Emma guessed as she shut the door.

  “Well, goodbye, Charlie, and it was nice to meet all of you. Time for me to be on the road.”

  “Drive safely.” Mae raised a hand in a small wave goodbye as Emma pulled away.

  For a moment, Emma allowed herself a glance in the rearview mirror at the trio still standing watching her departure. There was no explaining the strange feeling that spread over her as the small scene disappeared behind her. She was leaving something behind her… something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. For a moment, a sudden urge overtook her to turn around and go back. Back to what? She was tired and cold and that was why she was feeling strange. Don’t look back… never. There was nothing for her there.

  Chapter Two

  Closed. Be back on Monday. Emma read the words a third time, but that didn’t change them or the impact to her world. Of course, it was just her luck. The mechanic wasn’t there. The gas station on the corner had closed an hour ago. There was a small liquor store across the highway with a couple of cars outside it. Three blocks down, she could see the sign of the small motel that had been there over fifteen years. Lights were just beginning to come on along the way even though darkness had come early with the impending cold front and its clouds blocking any sunset from the west.

  Emma slid behind the steering wheel again and placed the truck into drive. There was a whining in the engine that hadn’t been there except for the last couple of miles and it had her worried. It wouldn’t be wise to try to make the additional ninety miles or so to Austin when there would be nothing for most of those miles but ranchland and few inhabitants. She pulled the vehicle back onto the highway, passed a couple more closed buildings, and then turned into the parking lot of the motel. Her heart sank when her eyes caught the blinking red letters of the “No Vacancy” sign in the window. By the number of vehicles, mostly oilfield trucks and such, she could guess the sign was correct.

  Since the oil boom had surfaced again in that part of the state, hotels rooms and any other places to stay had become a premium. That was another
thing that was in the back of her mind… her budget. She had counted in the motel room she would need in the city but not for any along the way caused by the sudden need for car repairs or other detours. There was a soft whine from the floorboard area beside her and she caught sight of the fact the puppy had decided to wake up and check out the situation. She sounded as forlorn as Emma was feeling inside.

  “I totally agree, Angel. Guess I’ll think positive and go inside and see if there is any hope like a cancellation or something.” Here she was talking to an animal like she expected her to understand and even engage in conversation with her. “What am I doing with you? I can barely take care of myself right now let alone a dog. Sorry you got stuck with me, little one. Maybe I can find you a better home once we get to the city.”

  Her mind went back to the woman and the little girl. They had been nice and the woman reminded her more than once of her mother… before life had gotten her too far down to bounce back any longer. Mae Drayton had a far different life than her mom had endured. She liked to think her mother would have looked like Mae had circumstances been different. Silly thoughts. Yet, she had been drawn to the woman. And also to little Charlie. When she had made mention of the fact she had no mother, that had kicked Emma in the gut. Poor child already had experienced a hard blow in life. Emma sent a quick little prayer into the growing darkness that Charlie would find someone to be her mother soon. Anyone would love to have a cutie like her for their own. Until then, maybe that guardian angel, like in Emma’s childhood photo, would look over her.

  Maybe someday… maybe… she might be lucky enough to have such a child. And someone to care for her… to not be alone. Maybe. But then she would just be better off taking care of herself. It only led to heartbreak when she let someone else… or something… and her eyes fell on the little pup… into her life. Keep it simple. Rely only on yourself. That was her motto she had decided a while back. She’d only get in trouble if she forgot it.